“ PHILLIP, JOHN (1817–1867) , Scottish painter, was born at Aberdeen, Scotland, on the 19th of April 1817. His father, an old soldier, was in humble circumstances, and the son became an errand-boy to a tinsmith, and was then apprenticed to a painter and glazier. Having received some technical instruction from a local artist named William Mercer, he began, at the age of about fifteen, to paint portraits. In 1834 he made a very brief visit to London. About this time he became assistant to James Forbes, an Aberdeen portrait-painter. He had already gained a valuable patron. ”

“ During this period he resided much in the Highlands, and seemed to be returning to his first love for Scottish subjects, painting several national scenes, and planning others that were never completed He died in London on the 27th of February 1867. ”